Azalea Gardens Assisted Living & Memory Care

Although we often use the word “secure,” a better word is “safe.” Secured memory care communities have a number of features that help your loved one stay safe including: • Higher staff to resident ratios. This means closer oversight, more dedicated and personal one-on-one time with each resident. • Fewer safety risks. Our communities are designed to accommodate the way residents with dementia and other age-related limitations think and act to prevent falls, burns, and other injuries (i.e., no stoves in personal suites and no stairs). • Secure and alarmed doors. If your loved one tries to leave the facility without accompaniment, staff are notified and can join them. We aim to ensure our secure memory care community in Tallahassee is just as warm and inviting as independent and assisted living communities.

Secure communities, such as Azalea Gardens, are recommended when traditional independent living or assisted living communities would pose safety risks for residents. Your loved one might be safest in a secured community if he or she: • Has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, impacting their short-term memory and cognition • Has left home and been unable to find their way back before • Struggles with short-term memory and cognition when in new, unfamiliar settings • Has had trouble remembering important safety measures at home, like locking the door, turning the burner off, or putting the car in park You don’t have to make this decision alone. Azalea Gardens’ care planning team can review your loved one’s personal and medical history to help you determine the best living situation.

Dementia is a broad term that describes a group of illnesses that all cause cognitive decline such forgetfulness, problems with communication, difficulty following directions, etc. Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease is a rare brain disorder that may be due to an inherited abnormal form of a protein or caused by exposure to diseased brain or nervous system tissue. Symptoms of this terminal condition usually appear around age 60 and can include problems with coordination, memory, thinking and vision. Symptoms worsen over time and may include the inability to move or talk, blindness, or infections. While Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease is not reversible, a healthier lifestyle with a balanced diet, increased exercise, regimented medication management can help to manage the symptoms. The caring team at Azalea Gardens in Tallahassee, Florida is trained in techniques to assist your loved one in navigating the challenges of this dementia.

Dementia is a broad term that describes a group of illnesses that all cause cognitive decline such forgetfulness, problems with communication, difficulty following directions, etc. Individuals with Down syndrome may develop dementia with characteristics almost identical to those of Alzheimer’s Disease. The recognition that Down Syndrome is associated with trisomy 21 assisted in connecting the possible genetic basis of Alzheimer’s disease. Autopsy studies in people with Down Syndrome showed the majority had brain lesions associated with Alzheimer’s disease. While Down Syndrome and dementia are not reversible, a healthier lifestyle with a balanced diet, increased exercise, regimented medication management can help to manage the symptoms. The caring team at Azalea Gardens in Tallahassee, Florida is trained in techniques to assist your loved one in navigating the challenges of this dementia.

Dementia is a broad term that describes a group of illnesses that all cause cognitive decline such forgetfulness, problems with communication, difficulty following directions, etc. Huntington’s disease is inherited and causes certain nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord to wither. Signs and symptoms usually appear during your 30s or 40s and include irritability or anxiety, a severe decline in cognitive skills, and weakness and difficulty with walking and uncontrolled movement. While Huntington’s disease is not reversible, a healthier lifestyle with a balanced diet, increased exercise, regimented medication management can help to manage the symptoms. The caring team at Azalea Gardens in Tallahassee, Florida is trained in techniques to assist your loved one in navigating the challenges of this dementia.

Dementia is a broad term that describes a group of illnesses that all cause cognitive decline such forgetfulness, problems with communication, difficulty following directions, etc. Dementia in Multiple Sclerosis is rare, but cognitive dysfunction affects approximately 60% of people who live with MS for a long time. Symptoms associated with MS related dementia include impairment of attention, psychomotor functions and memory. The caring team at Azalea Gardens in Tallahassee, Florida is trained in techniques to assist your loved one in navigating the challenges of this rare dementia and Multiple Sclerosis.

Dementia is a broad term that describes a group of illnesses that all cause cognitive decline such forgetfulness, problems with communication, difficulty following directions, etc. If HIV spreads to the brain, it can cause encephalopathy which causes dementia. Encephalopathy associated with HIV is progressive and irreversible, however, it can be slowed or managed with antiretroviral therapy. The memory care team at Azalea Gardens in Tallahassee, Florida is trained in techniques to assist your loved one in navigating the challenges of this rare dementia related to HIV.

Dementia is a broad term that describes a group of illnesses that all cause cognitive decline such forgetfulness, problems with communication, difficulty following directions, etc. Corticobasal degeneration, or CBD, in its later stages causes global impairment associated with dementia. CBD causes areas of the brain to shrink and nerve cells to degenerate and die over time. This disease typically impacts the area of the brain that processes information and controls movement. Defining symptoms may include difficulty controlling a limb (arm or leg) on one-side of the body; muscle stiffness; problems with balance, gait and speech; and memory problems. Corticobasal Degeneration is progressive and irreversible, however, the caring team at Azalea Gardens in Tallahassee, Florida is trained in techniques to assist your loved one in navigating the challenges of this rare dementia.

Dementia is a broad term that describes a group of illnesses that all cause cognitive decline such forgetfulness, problems with communication, difficulty following directions, etc. Binswanger’s Disease, also known as white matter disease or cortical vascular dementia, is caused by blockage in the blood vessels that supply the brain causing death of brain tissue in those areas. The most defining symptom of Binswanger’s disease is the slowing of psychomotor skills. For example, a person may slow in the time it takes to turn the thought of a letter into the shape of a letter on a piece of paper. Binswanger’s disease is progressive and irreversible, but a healthy lifestyle including a balanced diet, medication management, and appropriate social interactions like those found at Azalea Gardens in Tallahassee, Florida may help slow the progression.

Yes, our community is equipped with VR tools that are research-proven to help decrease anxiety and help stimulate memories. In VR, your loved one can attend metropolitan concerts from the front row, walk on a sandy beach to recall long-lost memories of a family vacation, or explore other adventures specifically cultivated for seniors. Learn more here

We are following state and federal guidelines for physical distancing and will resume normal community visitation policies as soon as the guidelines recommend us doing so. We appreciate your understanding during this time as we work together to protect our residents and staff.

Per CDC and local health regulatory agency guidelines, we are restricting visitations in our community except where required for medical care or by limited pre-approval by the community Executive Director in order to protect our residents who are vulnerable to due to age and other medical conditions. We are working with families and staff members to facilitate meaningful one-on-one or family group calls with their loved ones via video messaging platforms. To schedule a video call with your loved one in our community, please call (850) 583-4909.

In addition to temporarily changing our visitor policy in order to reduce foot traffic within the community, staff are required to wear personal protective gear including facemasks and gloves.

We ask that families limit the number of persons assisting in the physical moving of the new resident’s belonging in order to protect the resident population and staff. A move-in coordinator will assist you by setting up a time in which to bring your loved one into the community and make them comfortable in their new home. We will provide daily check-ins with you on your loved one’s process and facilitate video conferencing calls so that you may continue to visit with them one-on-one while ensuring that their safety and the health of the resident population and staff is not put at risk.

Our staff provides assistance with a myriad of activities of daily living to ensure your loved one can remain active within the ourmemory care facility for as long as possible. Services include: • Three meals (and snacks) every day, catered to your loved one’s preferences, calorie requirements, and diet restrictions • Assistance getting up or transferring onto or off the toilet, chair, bed, etc. • Medication administration and monitoring • Help with household chores and total laundry service • Assistance with bathing, dressing, toilet, personal hygiene, and minor incontinence Azalea Gardens also offers a number of services and amenities – like physical therapy and salons – right on site to make it easier for your loved one to access the care they need.

Azalea Gardens takes take pride in offering our memory care staff the training and development they need to not only care for but also empower our residents to lead independent and enriched lives. Both classroom and hands-on training – designed specifically for caregivers in the memory care setting – are required upon hire and then on an ongoing basis after that. This ensures two things: 1) basic concepts and best practices are refreshed at least annually, and 2) new research and innovations are taken into consideration and implemented into training for cutting edge practice. If you’d like to learn more about the training requirements for our Tallahasseememory care community staff, your local contact is eager to share that information. Contact us today to learn more.

Yes. Every memory care resident who joins our Tallahassee community brings something new. Needs are driven by physical, mental, and emotional health; religious preference; medical history; personal history; family status; cultural identity; and more. For these reasons, our experienced memory care planning team works directly with the resident and their family to build a custom care plan focused on goal achievement. Common goals include fall prevention, blood pressure management, life enrichment, socialization, comfort, and maintaining independence. Changes in the care plan require family involvement, so you’ll always know what to expect and have a voice in the decisions concerning your loved one’s memory care plan.

We have clear policies that drive action in medical emergencies. All memory care facility staff is trained upon hire and through simulations throughout the year on how to respond in emergency situations. These policies are not one-size-fits-all and vary depending on the nature of the medical emergency, but key components that are consistent across the board include: • Taking measures to ensure the immediate safety of the resident • Alerting 911 promptly to prevent delays in life-saving care • Following the care plan and any advanced directives in place • Ensuring dignity and confidentiality to the extent possible • Notifying family members as soon as possible Our policies prioritize your loved one’s safety and access to advanced medical care in the Tallahassee area.

Dementia is a broad term that describes a group of illnesses that all cause cognitive decline such forgetfulness, problems with communication, difficulty following directions, etc. Posterior Cortical Atrophy is a gradual and progressive degeneration of the cortex, or outer layer, of the brain. It is often considered a variant form of Alzheimer’s disease because of the presence of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles that occur in AD are present in the cortex. Early symptoms may include slowly developing challenges with visual tasks such as distinguishing between moving and still objects, inability focus on more than one object at a time, difficulty using common tools, problems judging distances, etc. While Posterior Cortical Atrophy is not reversible, a healthier lifestyle with a balanced diet, increased exercise, regimented medication management can help to manage the symptoms. The caring team at Azalea Gardens in Tallahassee, Florida is trained in techniques to assist your loved one in navigating the challenges of this dementia.

Dementia is a broad term that describes a group of illnesses that all cause cognitive decline such forgetfulness, problems with communication, difficulty following directions, etc. Wernicke encephalopathy and Korsakoff syndrome are different conditions, but both result from brain damage caused by a lack of vitamin B1. This vitamin deficiency is common in people with alcoholism and among persons whose bodies do not absorb food properly, as sometimes occurs with a chronic illness or after obesity surgery. Other conditions that may cause vitamin B1 deficiency include: AIDS, cancers that have spread throughout the body, extreme nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, heart failure, long periods of intravenous (IV) therapy without receiving thiamine supplements, long-term dialysis, and very high thyroid hormone levels. Korsakoff Syndrome often presents as Wernike Encephalopathy resolves. While this disease is not reversible, a healthier lifestyle with a balanced diet, increased exercise, regimented medication management can help to manage the symptoms. The caring team at Azalea Gardens in Tallahassee, Florida is trained in techniques to assist your loved one in navigating the challenges of Wernike Encephalopathy and Korsakoff Syndrome and the conditions that may cause cognitive decline.

Dementia is a broad term that describes a group of illnesses that all cause cognitive decline such forgetfulness, problems with communication, difficulty following directions, etc. Autopsy studies looking at the brains of people dementia of an unspecified type suggest that a majority of those age 80 and older probably had Mixed Dementia, caused by co-morbidity of Alzheimer’s disease [or, other Dementia] and vascular disease. In fact, some studies indicate that mixed dementia is the most common cause of dementia in the elderly. While this disease is not reversible, a healthier lifestyle with a balanced diet, increased exercise, regimented medication management can help to manage the symptoms. The caring team at Azalea Gardens in Tallahassee, Florida is trained in techniques to assist your loved one in navigating the challenges of mixed dementia.

Dementia is a broad term that describes a group of illnesses that all cause cognitive decline such forgetfulness, problems with communication, difficulty following directions, etc. People diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease often develop dementia symptoms. These symptoms often include mild cognitive impairment, disruption in REM sleep with nightmares, hallucinations, and delusions. While this disease is not reversible, a healthier lifestyle with a balanced diet, increased exercise, regimented medication management can help to manage the symptoms. The caring team at Azalea Gardens in Tallahassee, Florida is trained in techniques to assist your loved one in navigating the challenges of Parkinson’s Disease as it relates to dementia.

Dementia is a broad term that describes a group of illnesses that all cause cognitive decline such forgetfulness, problems with communication, difficulty following directions, etc. Dementia following a traumatic brain injury results from encephalopathy caused by repetitive brain trauma (concussions) often found in athletes resulting in progressive deterioration of brain tissue and the build-up of tau protein. Media often refers to this as “pugilistic dementia” because it was first identified among professional boxers – the most famous of whom is Muhammad Ali. These changes begin months, years, or even decades after the last brain trauma or end of active athletic involvement. Symptoms of TBI Dementia include memory loss, confusion, impaired judgment, impulse control problems, aggression, depression, and, eventually, progressive Dementia. While this disease is not reversible, a healthier lifestyle with a balanced diet, increased exercise, regimented medication management can help to manage the symptoms. The caring team at Azalea Gardens in Tallahassee, Florida is trained in techniques to assist your loved one in navigating the challenges of TBI dementia.

Dementia is a broad term that describes a group of illnesses that all cause cognitive decline such forgetfulness, problems with communication, difficulty following directions, etc. Early onset Alzheimer’s should not be confused with “early-stage dementia” as it is a separate disease process which has a symptom onset before the age of 65. Young or early onset Alzheimer’s symptoms are often the safe as the more common form that begins after age 65. This variant is linked to genetics that can increase risk of Alzheimer’s in general. While this disease is not reversible, a healthier lifestyle with a balanced diet, increased exercise, regimented medication management can help to manage the symptoms. While early-onset Alzheimer’s disease is irreversible, the caring team at Azalea Gardens in Tallahassee, Florida is trained in techniques to assist your loved one in navigating the challenges of this dementia.

Dementia is a broad term that describes a group of illnesses that all cause cognitive decline such forgetfulness, problems with communication, difficulty following directions, etc. Frontotemporal dementia, or FTD, was originally called Pick’s disease and falls into two categories: 1) changes in behavior; or, 2) problems with language. FTD with changes in behavior is characterized by behavior that can be either impulsive or bored and listless and includes inappropriate social behavior (lack of empathy; distractibility; loss of insight into self behaviors; an increased interest in sex; changes in food preferences; agitation or blunted emotions; neglect of personal hygiene; repetitive or compulsive behavior; and decreased energy and motivation). FTD with language disturbance is characterized by difficulty making or understanding speech, often in conjunction with the behavioral type’s symptoms. Memory usually remains intact. While this disease is not reversible, a healthier lifestyle with a balanced diet, increased exercise, regimented medication management can help to manage the symptoms. The caring team at Azalea Gardens in Tallahassee, Florida is trained in techniques to assist your loved one in navigating the challenges of Frontotemporal Dementia.

Dementia is a broad term that describes a group of illnesses that all cause cognitive decline such forgetfulness, problems with communication, difficulty following directions, etc. Lewy Body Dementia, or LBD, is one of the more common types of dementia. The symptoms may include changes in alertness and attention, hallucinations, problems with movement and posture, muscle stiffness and confusion. LBD is often misdiagnosed because the symptoms are similar to Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease. While this disease is not reversible, a healthier lifestyle with a balanced diet, increased exercise, regimented medication management can help to manage the symptoms. The caring team at Azalea Gardens in Tallahassee, Florida is trained in techniques to assist your loved one in navigating the challenges of Lewy Body Dementia.

Dementia is a broad term that describes a group of illnesses that all cause cognitive decline such forgetfulness, problems with communication, difficulty following directions, etc. Vascular dementia can be caused by strokes, a heart attack, aneurism, or other circumstances that cause the brain to not receive adequate oxygen and blood for a period of time. While this disease is not reversible, a healthier lifestyle with a balanced diet, increased exercise, regimented medication management and social interactions may reduce the likelihood of another stroke or heart attack. The caring team at Azalea Gardens in Tallahassee, Florida is trained in techniques to assist your loved one in navigating Vascular Dementia.

Your loved one’s provider is responsible for ordering your loved one’s medications while Azalea Gardens’ memory care staff is responsible for medication administration and management. What this means is that your loved one might be on no medications at all or several medications depending on his or her overall health and well-being as determined by his or her primary care physician. Memory care staff will administer the medications as ordered, monitor for side effects and efficacy, and reach out to your loved one’s primary care doctor if they feel any medication is not achieving the desired result. To learn more about medication for dementia or Alzheimer’s and how it is managed at Azalea Gardens Assisted Living & Memory Care Contact us for more information.

We have temporarily changed our policies relating to visitors and how we conduct our activities and dining programs. Please see the new and specific temporary changes as they relate to this community by clicking here.

Yes. The health and safety of Sunshine’s residents and employees are our top priority. As such, Azalea Gardens has partnered with Vikor Scientific to allow us to test our residents and employees with their Respira-ID™ test kits. We will test under the following scenarios: (i) new residents moving in; (ii) residents coming back from a hospital visit; (iii) residents with COVID-19 symptoms; as well as (iv) staff showing COVID-19 symptoms.

Yes, new residents are accepted into the community after undergoing an extensive screening and providing a negative test result, either through state-administered COVID testing or through Vikor Scientific Respira-ID testing administered directly at Azalea Gardens.

While we want to provide care for your loved one for the rest of their days, we recognize that there are some things that we cannot do safely. We will partner with third-party providers, such as hospice and home health, to address specific, skilled needs. Should anyone’s needs exceed the level of care that can be safely provided at our community, we will collaborate with you to identify an appropriate care community to make that transition.

Providing quality care and services to residents and their families is important to us. Each resident is assessed quarterly or upon a significant change of condition. Rates will change – either up or down – as individual needs change.

Our trained and licensed staff (nurses and caregivers) supervise and provide the medications that the residents’ physicians prescribe. Our team is familiar with administering Alzheimer’s medications like Aricept (Donepezil), Razadyne (Galantamine), Namenda (Memantine), Exelon (Rivastigmine) and Namzaric (Memantine + Donepezil). However, our staff does not prescribe any medications to our residents.

Your loved one’s provider is responsible for ordering your loved one’s medications, while Azalea Gardens’ memory care staff is responsible for medication administration and management. All medication administered to our residents is in compliance with all state laws and board regulations. Our licensed staff follows the written policies and procedures for safe and effective drug administration provided by medical professionals for the procurement, administration, storage, control, record keeping, and disposal of all medication. Memory care staff will administer the medications as ordered, monitor for side effects and efficacy, and reach out to your loved one’s primary care doctor if they feel any medication is not achieving the desired result. To learn more about medication for dementia or Alzheimer’s and how it is managed at Azalea Gardens Assisted Living & Memory Care, please contact us for more information.

Memory care staff will administer the medications exactly as ordered by the resident’s medical provider and in accordance with applicable state and board regulations and standards. Our licensed staff will monitor for side effects and efficacy and reach out to your loved one’s primary care doctor if they feel any medication is not achieving the desired result. Please reach out to your medical provider if you have concerns regarding medication frequency and dosage.

The trained and licensed staff members at Azalea Gardens ensure that they are not only familiar with our residents’ medications, such as Namenda, but also with our residents. In addition to being educated about Alzheimer’s medications and their side effects, Azalea Gardens staff members get to know each of our residents and their needs. They are therefore able to quickly identify and respond to the side effects of medication. Azalea Gardens is staffed 24/7 with caring, trained nurses and caregivers who are able to identify and assist residents when they are experiencing the side effects of medication.

All medications prescribed to our residents by their physicians are administered according to the exact instructions prescribed by the resident’s physician. The community’s staff ensures that they are familiar with each residents’ medications, including medications for other conditions other than Alzheimer’s. Our trained and licensed nurses and caregivers then administer each of the residents’ medications exactly as prescribed, taking into account the timing, dosage, and method of administration for each medication.

While in-home caregivers are able to administer medications and monitor your loved one’s safety and comfort, there is a distinct advantage to receiving Alzheimer’s medications like Razadyne at a memory care facility. Often, in-home caregivers are not with your loved one 24/7, leaving them without a licensed, trained caregiver during certain times of the day. Those times may include times when medication must be administered, leaving you or another family member or friend to manage it. In contrast, at Azalea Gardens, our trained, talented staff is available 24/7 to assist your loved one. All medications are monitored and organized according to your loved one’s needs, and every dose is given by a licensed caregiver. In addition, should your loved one need medical assistance, they are already in a community that has medical and safety procedures in place to ensure that your loved one receives assistance as quickly as possible.

Staffing levels at our Tallahassee memory care facility ensure that your loved one gets the person-centered care and attention they require. Since we strive to provide meaningful opportunities for enrichment, engagement, and socialization during the day time, there is more staff available than during nighttime hours when most of our residents are resting. Azalea Gardens’ staffing levels are dependent on the needs of our memory care residents, which means that if we have many residents who need assistance with activities of daily living, each caregiver will be assigned to fewer residents.

Discharge is usually a slower and more thoughtful process between the resident, his or her family, and our care planning team. When considering discharging a resident, most commonly for a higher level of care, the primary question we ask is, “Can we provide the care this person deserves?” When the answer is no, we’ll reach out to you and start the conversation. We’ll serve as a support system and advocate for you as you seek the right care in the Tallahassee area for your loved one. Likewise, if you ever wonder, “Can my loved one receive the care they need here?” then you can reach out to our memory care staff and initiate the conversation. The process is the same.

Yes. Familiar routines are a critical component of compassionate memory care. Your loved one’s routines from home will always be honored to the greatest extent possible, including: • The time they prefer to rise in the morning • The foods they like to eat • The days and times they prefer to bathe • The time they like to go to bed at night Other things we keep in mind are the ways and order in which Azalea Gardens residents like to complete their normal daily tasks. We often find that over several decades of life, our Tallahassee residents become particular about how things are done, and we want to honor that.

Both memory care and in-home care can be highly effective solutions for the safety risks that accompany cognitive decline. Those who choose a memory care facility realize the following benefits compared to those who choose in-home care: • Memory care facilities must meet stringent guidelines in all aspects of care including nutrition, safety, management of medical conditions, cleanliness, staffing levels, and are surveyed frequently • Memory care communities are designed with resident safety in mind, which means slip-resistant flooring, handrails, larger bathrooms and bedrooms, and the removal of safety risks (like stoves). • Memory care communities are secure so your loved one is protected from the risks associated with wandering. • While Meals On Wheels can provide one meal per day for in-home residents who qualify, memory care residents receive three well-rounded meals and snacks every day. If you are looking to learn more about the benefits of memory care in the Tallahassee area, please Contact us today.

Alzheimer’s dementia is a lifetime diagnosis. Most residents can do well with part-time in-home care (often provided by a family member or home health care providers) for a period of time ranging from a few months to a few years following initial diagnosis. Assistance from adult daycare providers can provide respite for caregivers during this time. However, because Alzheimer’s is a degenerative disease, your loved one’s needs will continue to increase over time, making full-time care in a memory care facility, such as Azalea Gardens, a necessity. This care can range from 2.5 years to up to 10 years depending on your loved one’s overall health and wellness in addition to the progression of their disease.

It’s very challenging to compare in-home care to a memory care facility for several reasons. When calculating the cost of in-home care, it’s important to include: • Mortgage or rent payments • Lost wages for caregivers providing assistance • Groceries and other dining costs (keeping in mind that you may be able to benefit from one meal a day from meals on wheels) • In-house doctor’s visits (for those who choose this option) • The cost of utilities • Entertainment and therapies • Medications When you choose a memory care community instead, all of these components are included in one monthly rate, so no calculations are necessary. You know what to expect (and peace of mind is priceless). If interested in learning more about the cost of memory care at Azalea Gardens Assisted Living & Memory Care, please Contact us today.

There are dietary recommendations that can help your loved one stay as healthy as possible despite a dementia diagnosis, but it’s also important to keep in mind their changing physical body and how that impacts their diet as well. For example, a newly diagnosed person who is in the early stages of dementia will generally need a diet rich in specific vitamins and nutrients, which can often be provided at home with special effort. However, over time, memory care residents with dementia decline both cognitively and physically. A consequence of this challenging decline is a change in swallowing, which might necessitate thickened liquids and ground or pureed foods. Close monitoring from qualified caregivers at Azalea Gardens can ensure these changes are made at the right time.

Yes. outside care is welcomed as part of Azalea Gardens’memory care services. Coordination of care is a joint effort. The resident’s family member or Power of Attorney generally secures outside care services, working directly with the care provider to determine the scope, services, care plan, etc. and notifies our memory care community of the arrangement. Then, our staff works directly with the outside care provider to coordinate the care of your loved one within the community in Tallahassee, schedule appropriately, and communicate as needed for your loved one’s benefit and continuity of care. Communication – between Azalea Gardens’ memory care staff, the outside service, and you – is key to successful collaboration.

Yes, a head-to-toe assessment helps us determine whether or not we’re able to provide the memory care services your loved one needs in order to maintain optimal health, independence, and comfort. Things we evaluate during this assessment include: • Cognitive functioning • Emotional needs • Spiritual beliefs and needs • Physical functioning and needs, such as: • Ability to transfer with or without assistance • Toileting and continence • Vital signs • Medication orders, risk factors, and needs • Fall risk • Dietary restrictions and preferences • The overall health of the skin • Personal history, including family status and hobbies • And more

Your level of involvement is completely up to you. Some families request to be notified of changes in condition, which we’re eager to accommodate, while other families would like to call or stop by daily to find out how their loved one is doing. We’re happy to accommodate that too. At a bare minimum, we will always reach out to you before making changes to your loved one’s care plan, as soon as possible after a medical emergency, or if we note a change in their physical or mental health. Additionally, we always seek your participation in memory care planning once per quarter and upon changes in your loved one’s health.

Azalea Gardens’ memory care facility is designed to mimic home while reducing or eliminating the risk of injury that exists at home. This means that your loved one will have semi-private or private living quarters that consist of a warm, inviting bedroom and a spacious bathroom. Other central living areas are shared by the community and include relaxing sitting rooms, communal kitchens, and dining rooms secured outdoor living areas, and more. Life enrichment activities are hosted within our Tallahassee memory care community, too, and are designed to enrich your loved one’s life without posing a threat to their safety and security.

Each resident’s cognitive level, hobbies, and personal preferences are incorporated into their personal care plan and their one-on-one time with our caregiving and life enrichment teams. However, Azalea Gardens residents are not grouped by cognitive level when it comes to group social and life enrichment activities. What this means is that our activity calendars are designed to provide a myriad of activities that are enjoyable for residents with a wide range of cognitive levels and physical ability. Your loved one can participate in the activities that he or she enjoys, either independently or with assistance. It is always our goal to do activities with our memory care residents, not for them, to give them a sense of purpose, enjoyment, and pride.

Both nursing homes and memory care facilities offer assistance with activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, oral care, and medication assistance. But only memory care communities are specifically designed around the needs of people living with dementia. Memory care communities are fully staffed with professionals who are committed to caring for people with these specific challenges. The professionals at memory care communities have vast experience with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and other memory challenges. Staff members at memory care communities understand that all of your loved one’s behaviors are in response to a perceived situation. These expert team members become detectives in order to get to the root of those responsive behaviors and resolve the response through a holistic approach. In contrast, nursing home staff may not receive the same training as memory care communities’ staff, and may therefore opt to sedate someone with challenging behaviors rather than resolve the response in another manner. A memory care community will not only provide assistance with the activities of daily living, but will also provide specialized programming and care specific to your loved one’s needs.

Standalone memory care communities offer greater security for your loved one, without feeling confining or restrictive. People with dementia enjoy walking and visiting with neighbors, but the confusion they may experience can result in wandering into harm’s way. Memory care communities are designed with contrasting colors, accent walls, and circular corridors, as well as outdoor fenced gardens with pathways that lead to doors. All of these features help a resident with dementia navigate their way around the community. The design of standalone memory care communities creates a pathway so that walking becomes purposeful and fulfilling.

As dementia progresses, it may become harder and harder for people to engage with their environment. Standalone memory care communities provide activities centered around sensory stimulation, such as touch and sound, in order to engage all five senses and encourage connection to the community. Both nursing homes and memory care communities plan weekly events and outings to entertain and stimulate their residents. But only memory care communities plan events specifically for residents with memory challenges, which are intended to nurture cognitive function as well as provide socialization.

Both nursing homes and memory care communities provide three daily, nutritious meals to their residents. However, only memory care communities specifically design their dining programs around the needs of residents experiencing memory challenges. Memory care communities use brightly colored plates, which studies have shown to stimulate appetite and increase food recognition. Additionally, standalone memory care communities will often incorporate food that is known to be “brain healthy” in their dining experience. If your loved one would benefit from the professional, 24/7 care of a specialized memory care community, contact our friendly team today to find a community near you.